He helped create a process to notify us in a timely manner so that we can respond to more home fires

HOUSTON, TX, (April 6, 2017) – Leadership, from the Texas Gulf Coast Region of the American Red Cross, worked with Fire Chief Samuel Peña’s office to pull off a surprise award ceremony during the monthly Houston Fire Department command staff meeting. The ceremony, recognized the efforts of three officers: Senior Captain Ruy Lozano, Assistant Chief Jeffrey Cook and Executive Assistant Chief Rodney West. Each received Red Cross challenge coins in recognition of their work to advance the partnership between organizations and increase services to the people of Houston. Public Information Officer, Senior Captain Lozano was presented an additional letter of appreciation.

“Senior Captain Lozano has been instrumental in moving our partnership forward,” said Brian Imiola, Regional Disaster Officer for the Texas Gulf Coast Region of the American Red Cross. “He helped create a process to notify us in a timely manner so that we can respond to more home fires.”

“We are committed to helping each and every resident who experiences a fire and this partnership is essential to achieving that goal,” said Imiola. “We are able to increase our response because of the good information the Houston Fire Department provides to us. The calls they send, help get us out there to serve the people of Houston in their time of need.”

“Sixty percent of home fire deaths are in homes without a smoke alarm or a working smoke alarm,” said Imiola. He added that in the past year, Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers have responded to nearly 1000 home fires in Harris County with the vast majority of incidents occurring in Houston.

In addition to the notification system, the Houston Fire Department will join forces with the Red Cross to promote the national Home Fire Preparedness Campaign and install 3000 smoke alarms in Houston homes between July and November.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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